Economy of Papua New Guinea

KEY FACTS 2015

GNI: US$16.7 billion

GNI p.c.: US$2,240

GDP growth: 9.0% p.a. 2011–15

Inflation: 6.0% p.a. 2011–15

Though the country is rich in mineral, agricultural, forestry and fisheries resources, development is still in the early stages and has been hampered by volatile prices for agricultural and mineral exports. In addition, the main population centres are separated by ocean or inhospitable terrain. GDP grew by 1.9 per cent p.a. 1980–90 and 3.8 per cent p.a. 1990–2000.

Government policy has been to aim for steady, sustainable growth with an even sharing of the benefits throughout the country. To this end, it took minority shareholdings in most major industrial and mining developments (up to a maximum of 30 per cent in mineral projects and 22.5 per cent in petroleum projects).

GDP growth was uneven during the 1990s, registering 15 per cent in 1993 as new mining investment came on stream, but falling to –3.6 per cent in 1995, –3.9 per cent in 1997 and –3.8 per cent in 1998. By 1998 the country was in the most serious financial crisis since independence due to a prolonged drought, the continuing Bougainville crisis, the Asian economic downturn and the falling value of the kina. With the support of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the government embarked on economic reforms including a programme of privatisation.

The economy recovered strongly during 1999 but then stalled, with good growth returning from 2003, as new mining and hydrocarbon projects came on stream, recording 4.9 per cent p.a. from 2005–09. There was strong growth in 2007–08, moderating slightly to 5.5 per cent in 2009, in response to the global downturn and collapse of world demand, before strengthening again to eight to nine per cent p.a. in 2010–12 and slowing again in 2013–14. Exports of natural gas caused a surge in growth in 2015.

Mining and energy

The country is richly endowed with mineral and hydrocarbon resources. Since commercial gold mining began in 1989, mining and oil and gas production have made a significant contribution to GDP. The principal copper mine at Ok Tedi in Western Province was developed and operated by an Australian company and then abandoned. Another important mine on the island of Bougainville closed in 1989 at the outbreak of political instability and, after political resolution in Bougainville, rehabilitation needed huge investment. There are substantial reserves of nickel/cobalt at Ramu in Madang Province. Nickel and cobalt exports – from the new plant at Ramu – started in November 2012 and was due to be producing at full capacity by 2016.